HealTech Hub
- Turkiye
- Nonprofit
In the wake of a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in early 2023, the already fragile healthcare system in Northwest Syria faced further destruction. This catastrophe compounded the challenges posed by over a decade of conflict, leaving critical medical infrastructure in ruins and severely limiting access to healthcare for millions. Currently, in Syria, an estimated 14.9 million individuals require health assistance, a figure that includes vulnerable populations such as 5.1 million displaced persons, 2.4 million persons with disabilities, and 4.1 million women of reproductive age. The earthquake exacerbated the situation, damaging or destroying 67 health facilities and further straining the healthcare system’s capacity to deliver essential medical services.
This crisis in Syria is emblematic of a larger global issue where healthcare systems in conflict or disaster-stricken regions struggle to provide basic services due to damaged infrastructure and supply chain disruptions. Globally, the World Health Organization highlights the increasing vulnerability of healthcare systems to natural disasters and conflicts, forecasting that by 2050, one in four people will be living in areas plagued by periodic shortages of health services and medical supplies.
The specific challenges our solution addresses include:
Infrastructure Damage and Equipment Shortages: The physical destruction of healthcare facilities and loss or impairment of medical devices limit the capacity for essential healthcare delivery. Our initiative aims to mitigate these effects by locally repairing damaged medical equipment, leveraging our maker-space’s technological capabilities.
Supply Chain Disruptions: Restrictions on imports and damaged infrastructure hinder the ability to replace medical devices or procure necessary spare parts for repairs. By focusing on local solutions and the adaptation of available resources, our project intends to circumvent these challenges, ensuring the continuity of healthcare services.
Environmental and Health Risks from Medical E-Waste: The improper disposal of damaged medical equipment, such as burning or burying, poses significant environmental and health risks. Our solution incorporates a pilot e-waste management project that adopts and implements global best practices for the sustainable disposal and recycling of medical e-waste, setting a precedent for environmentally responsible healthcare practices in crisis settings.
Our proposal is not just a response to an immediate crisis but a forward-thinking approach that builds resilience into the healthcare system. By repairing up to 200 medical devices within 12 months and establishing a sustainable e-waste management pilot in collaboration with the Idlib Health Directorate, we aim to restore and enhance healthcare services for millions in need. Additionally, this initiative sets a model for similar crisis-affected regions worldwide, demonstrating how local innovation and sustainable practices can rebuild and fortify healthcare systems against future challenges.
In conclusion, our solution tackles the immediate need for medical device repair and addresses the long-term necessity for sustainable healthcare practices in crisis-affected areas. By leveraging local expertise and technologies, we aim to restore critical healthcare services in Northwest Syria and introduce a scalable model for global implementation, ultimately contributing to the resilience of healthcare systems in the face of natural disasters and conflicts.
Our solution, operating within a maker-space/innovation lab in Northwest Syria, focuses on the local repair and refurbishment of damaged medical devices and the establishment of a sustainable e-waste management program. Utilizing a combination of high and traditional technology, our lab is equipped with advanced tools such as 3D printers, laser cutting machines, CNC machines, and lathes, alongside software expertise for diagnostics and repairs. This enables us to efficiently diagnose issues, fabricate missing or broken parts, and restore medical equipment to functional condition, directly addressing the acute shortage of operational medical devices in the region.
How It Works:
Diagnosis and Repair: Medical devices brought to our lab undergo a thorough diagnostic process to identify malfunctions. Using our technology suite, including software for technical diagnostics, we pinpoint the issues and plan the repair process. This might involve fabricating parts with 3D printers, machining components, or recalibrating systems with the help of our engineers.
Refurbishment: Devices that are repairable but significantly worn are refurbished, which may include replacing old parts with newly fabricated ones, ensuring the device meets the necessary standards for medical use.
E-Waste Management Pilot: Concurrently, we initiate a pilot project for the sustainable management of medical e-waste. This involves the collection of non-repairable devices and components, followed by their environmentally responsible disposal or recycling. We assess materials for recycling potential, safely dismantle devices, and segregate components for either recycling or safe disposal, aiming to minimize environmental impact.
Training and Capacity Building: An integral part of our solution includes training local technicians and healthcare facility staff in both the repair techniques and the e-waste management process, ensuring skills transfer and sustainability of the initiative.
Technology Utilized:
- 3D Printing: Allows for the rapid prototyping and production of replacement parts, particularly useful for unique or hard-to-find components.
- Laser Cutting and CNC Machining: Provide the ability to create precise components from various materials, essential for the repair of complex medical devices.
- Software Diagnostics: Specialized software aids in diagnosing device malfunctions and guiding repairs, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
By leveraging these technologies and methodologies, our solution not only returns vital medical equipment to service, enhancing healthcare delivery in the region, but also introduces a sustainable approach to managing the lifecycle of medical devices. This initiative represents a holistic approach to addressing the healthcare system's needs in crisis-affected areas, focusing on immediate impact through device repair and long-term sustainability through e-waste management.
Our solution is dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of the most vulnerable populations in Northwest Syria, focusing on individuals and communities severely affected by the ongoing conflict and the aftermath of the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake in early 2023. This includes displaced persons, children, women of reproductive age, older persons, and individuals with disabilities, all of whom are facing unprecedented challenges in accessing essential healthcare services due to the severely damaged healthcare infrastructure.
Target Population:
- Displaced Persons (5.1 million): Living in temporary shelters or camps with limited access to healthcare facilities.
- Children Under Five Years (2.3 million): At high risk of malnutrition and preventable diseases, with over half a million live births expected, necessitating maternal and newborn care.
- Women of Reproductive Age (4.1 million): Need access to reproductive healthcare services, including prenatal, antenatal, and postnatal care.
- Older Persons (over 700,000): Require specialized medical attention for chronic conditions and age-related health issues.
- Persons with Disabilities (2.4 million): Need specialized equipment and services tailored to their unique healthcare needs.
These communities are currently underserved due to a combination of factors, including the destruction of medical facilities, a shortage of operational medical devices, and disrupted supply chains that have been exacerbated by conflict and natural disasters. As a result, there's a critical gap in the provision of basic and specialized healthcare services, directly impacting the well-being and survival of millions.
How the Solution Addresses Their Needs:
Our solution impacts the lives of these individuals and communities by directly addressing the acute shortage of functional medical devices and introducing sustainable practices for medical e-waste management. By repairing and refurbishing essential medical equipment such as ultrasound machines, incubators, and diagnostic tools, our project ensures that healthcare facilities can provide critical services, from maternal and child care to chronic disease management.
- Restored Healthcare Services: Repairing up to 200 medical devices will significantly enhance the capacity of healthcare facilities to deliver essential services, reducing wait times and improving the quality of care for patients.
- Improved Health Outcomes: Access to functional medical equipment means timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment of conditions, directly contributing to improved health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
- Environmental Health: Our e-waste management pilot aims to mitigate the health risks associated with improper disposal of medical equipment, promoting a safer and healthier environment for the community.
Additionally, by training local technicians and healthcare workers in repair techniques and e-waste management, we build local capacity, ensuring the sustainability of the healthcare system and empowering communities to maintain and manage their healthcare infrastructure effectively.
Field Ready Türkiye is uniquely positioned to deliver our proposed solution due to our deep roots and ongoing commitment within the communities of Northwest Syria. Our team, composed of engineers and experts in the humanitarian aid and development sectors, has been actively engaged in the region since 2016. Our formal establishment in Türkiye in February 2021 as a Social Community Organization solidifies our resolve to innovate for community challenges.
Our vision centres on empowering local communities through innovative solutions and entrepreneurship, aiming for sustainable impact. This vision is more than a goal; it's a reflection of our belief in local production's transformative power. As part of the global movement toward localizing manufacturing, we are committed to making what's needed on the ground, by local makers and innovators. Our cross-border team structure, with management in Türkiye and field operations in Northwest Syria, underscores our operational flexibility and deep understanding of the local context.
The composition of our team, predominantly from the region, ensures that our work is deeply representative of and aligned with the communities we aim to serve. This direct representation fosters a shared understanding of local challenges, ensuring our solutions are culturally relevant, sensitive, and responsive to the communities' needs.
Our experience speaks volumes of our capacity and commitment. We have successfully completed projects, such as repairing over 200 medical devices in collaboration with Grants Challenge Canada (2021-2022) and a similar intervention with the Humanitarian to Humanitarian Network in 2023. These initiatives not only demonstrated our technical proficiency but also highlighted the acute need for continued support in medical device repair and e-waste management—a need we identified through comprehensive needs assessments.
Membership in the health cluster led by WHO and the Early Recovery Cluster led by UNDP keeps us aligned with global humanitarian priorities and informed about the pressing needs in the healthcare sector, as underscored in UN reports, particularly for 2024.
Our approach to solution design and implementation is deeply collaborative, incorporating community input, ideas, and priorities at every stage. This ensures our interventions are not only accepted and sustainable but also impactful, addressing the real and expressed needs of those we serve.
Field Ready Türkiye's combination of local insight, technical expertise, and alignment with global humanitarian goals positions us exceptionally well to implement this critical intervention. Our track record, community-driven approach, and dedication to innovative, sustainable solutions underscore our capacity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by crisis in Northwest Syria.
- Increase capacity and resilience of health systems, including workforce, supply chains, and other infrastructure.
- 3. Good Health and Well-Being
- 9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
- 13. Climate Action
- 15. Life on Land
- Growth
Our selection of the "Growth" stage for our project proposal is deeply rooted in the tangible outcomes and the established foundation of our past initiatives in Northwest Syria. Through our engagements, notably with the Grants Challenge Canada (GCC) and the Humanitarian to Humanitarian Network (H2H), we have successfully demonstrated the viability and impact of our solution, focusing on repairing critical medical devices to enhance healthcare access in conflict-affected areas. These efforts have not only been instrumental in addressing immediate healthcare needs but have also laid the groundwork for scaling our impact across multiple communities.
What We Have Built and Tested So Far:
Our project has developed and refined a sustainable model for repairing and refurbishing critical medical devices, leveraging the capabilities of our maker-space/innovation lab. This model encompasses a comprehensive process of diagnosing device malfunctions, fabricating necessary parts, and performing repairs with a team of skilled engineers and technicians. Additionally, we have initiated steps toward implementing a sustainable e-waste management program, aimed at addressing the environmental impact of medical device disposal.
Impact and Beneficiaries Served:
To date, our projects have directly benefited approximately 150,000 individuals, significantly enhancing their access to essential health services. This figure includes a wide range of beneficiaries, from patients requiring urgent medical interventions to healthcare professionals whose capacity to deliver services has been greatly improved by the availability of functional equipment. Our efforts have focused on some of the most critical areas of healthcare delivery, including maternal and child health, emergency care, and the management of chronic conditions, reflecting the diverse needs of the communities we serve.
The choice of the "Growth" stage is a reflection of our journey from conceptualization to a tested solution with proven efficacy and a significant impact on the ground. Our established donor base and successful partnerships have provided us with a stable foundation to further expand our reach. The experiences gained and lessons learned from our initial projects have been invaluable, informing our strategy for scalability and enabling us to refine our approach for even greater efficiency and impact.
In conclusion, our decision to select the "Growth" stage is backed by a solid track record of successful interventions, a clear understanding of the needs of our beneficiaries, and a committed team poised for the next phase of expansion. Our work so far has not only demonstrated the potential of our solution to make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by crisis but also laid the groundwork for extending our impact to new communities and regions in need.
Our application to Solve is driven by a desire to leverage the program's unique ecosystem of support to address and overcome significant barriers hindering the scalability and sustainability of our healthcare innovation project in Northwest Syria. Our commitment extends beyond the quest for funding; we seek to harness Solve's comprehensive resources to tackle technical, legal, cultural, and market challenges that impede our progress. Field Ready Türkiye is poised for growth, having demonstrated our solution's impact through successful pilot projects. However, scaling our efforts requires a multifaceted support system that Solve is uniquely positioned to provide.
or the Technical and Capacity Building Barriers: Our initiative demands a high degree of technical proficiency, from repairing complex medical devices to executing an environmentally sound e-waste management strategy. Solve’s capacity workshops and access to cutting-edge technological insights could significantly enhance our team's skills, enabling us to innovate further and increase our solution's efficiency and effectiveness.
As for the Legal and Regulatory Barriers: Operating in a conflict zone presents unique legal challenges, especially concerning the importation of repair components and e-waste management compliance. Legal guidance and resources from Solve's network would be invaluable in navigating these complexities, ensuring that our operations are both effective and compliant with international and local regulations.
Cultural and Community Engagement Barriers: Success in our mission requires deep community engagement and a shift towards sustainable healthcare practices. Solve’s network could offer insights into effective communication strategies and community mobilization, helping us to foster a culture of sustainability and resilience within the communities we serve.
Market Access Barriers: Access to global markets for parts and recycling services is critical for our project's sustainability. Through Solve, we anticipate connecting with suppliers and partners who can provide the materials and services essential for our operations, facilitating a more robust supply chain and potentially reducing costs.
How Solve Can Help:
- Enhancing Technical Expertise: Through tailored workshops and mentorship, increasing our technical capabilities to improve and expand our medical device repair and e-waste management processes.
- Navigating Legal Challenges: Access to pro bono legal advice and services to overcome regulatory hurdles and optimize our cross-border operations.
- Cultural Integration and Community Engagement: Learning from global best practices in community engagement and behavior change, vital for the success and sustainability of our project.
- Expanding Market Access: Connecting with Solve’s network of suppliers and partners to ensure a steady supply of materials and access to recycling markets, essential for our project's growth and sustainability.
- Visibility and Advocacy: Utilizing Solve’s platform to highlight the importance of our work, attracting additional support and resources from a global audience.
Our goal in joining Solve is to not only expand our project's reach and impact but also to contribute to a global community dedicated to solving some of the world's most challenging problems. We believe that Solve’s ecosystem of support can help us overcome the multifaceted challenges we face, enabling us to deliver lasting improvements to healthcare access and environmental sustainability in Northwest Syria and beyond.
- Business Model (e.g. product-market fit, strategy & development)
- Monitoring & Evaluation (e.g. collecting/using data, measuring impact)
Our solution represents an innovative fusion of local medical device repair with pioneering e-waste management practices in Northwest Syria, addressing critical gaps in healthcare delivery and environmental sustainability within conflict-affected regions. This approach not only provides an immediate response to healthcare needs but also offers a sustainable strategy to enhance the resilience of healthcare infrastructure and environmental stewardship.
Innovative Elements:
Local Repair and Refurbishment: Utilizing advanced technologies like 3D printing alongside traditional machining techniques within our maker-space/innovation lab, our solution stands out by enabling the local repair and refurbishment of a wide range of medical devices. This approach significantly reduces dependence on fragile international supply chains, ensuring that healthcare facilities remain equipped to deliver essential services.
Sustainable E-Waste Management: We introduce a comprehensive strategy for the sustainable management of medical e-waste, a largely unaddressed issue in crisis settings. By implementing methods for recycling and safe disposal, our solution mitigates environmental hazards and sets a precedent for responsible e-waste handling that can be adopted in similar contexts.
Community-Centric Approach: Our solution’s foundation is its deep engagement with local communities. Training local technicians and healthcare workers not only empowers them with critical skills but also ensures the project’s sustainability and adaptability to evolving needs.
Broader Positive Impacts:
Scalability and Replicability: Our project acts as a blueprint for other regions experiencing similar challenges, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrating medical device repair with e-waste management. This model can inspire a broader adoption, amplifying its impact beyond our initial implementation area.
Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship: By tapping into local talent for solutions, we encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, contributing to economic resilience. This effect underscores the potential for local initiatives to solve global challenges, promoting a shift towards more self-reliant and innovative community practices.
Market and Landscape Transformation: Our innovative model challenges the status quo of medical device procurement and disposal, advocating for a shift towards sustainability and resilience in healthcare infrastructure development. This could influence manufacturers and policymakers to consider the full lifecycle of medical devices, prioritizing repairability and environmental impact in design and regulation.
Our solution’s impact on enhancing healthcare delivery and promoting environmental sustainability in Northwest Syria is rooted in a structured theory of change. This framework outlines the logical progression from our specific activities to the anticipated outcomes, highlighting the evidence-based links that underpin our approach.
Activities: Our core activities encompass:
- Repairing and refurbishing medical devices using a mix of advanced and traditional technologies.
- Training local technicians and healthcare workers in repair techniques and sustainable e-waste management.
- Implementing a community-driven e-waste management program.
Outputs: These activities are expected to produce:
- An increased number of functional medical devices in healthcare facilities.
- A cadre of skilled local technicians capable of maintaining and repairing medical equipment.
- Reduced environmental degradation through effective e-waste management.
- Enhanced community awareness about sustainable healthcare practices.
Outcomes: The immediate and longer-term outcomes we anticipate include:
- Improved access to essential healthcare services, leading to better health outcomes.
- Strengthened local capacity for ongoing maintenance and repair of medical devices, promoting self-sufficiency.
- A healthier environment as a result of minimized harmful e-waste practices.
- A model for healthcare resilience and sustainability that can be replicated in similar contexts.
Evidence Supporting Links:
Improved Healthcare Access and Outcomes: Research indicates that the functionality of medical devices is crucial for delivering quality healthcare services (Source: WHO reports on medical device availability and its impact on health outcomes). Our prior projects demonstrated a direct correlation between the repair of medical devices and the enhancement of healthcare services, supporting this link.
Economic Empowerment and Local Capacity: Evidence from skill development initiatives in conflict-affected areas shows that such training leads to economic resilience (Source: UNDP studies on skill development and economic recovery). Our experience confirms that trained local technicians not only improve the maintenance of medical devices but also contribute to the local economy through service provision.
Environmental Benefits of E-Waste Management: Studies on the impact of improper e-waste disposal reveal significant environmental and health risks (Source: Environmental Health Perspectives). Our pilot e-waste management program has shown a reduction in these risks, providing a tangible example of the potential environmental benefits.
Scalability and Replicability: Feedback from stakeholders and communities in our initial projects supports the demand for and feasibility of scaling our solution. The adaptability of our model to other crisis-affected regions is further evidenced by requests for replication from neighbouring areas.
In crafting this theory of change, we draw upon third-party research, evaluations of our projects, and direct feedback from our target populations. This evidence base underscores the viability of our approach and its potential for broad impact. By connecting the dots from activities to outcomes, we illuminate the path toward a more resilient healthcare system and a healthier environment in Northwest Syria and beyond.
Our solution's overarching impact goals are twofold: to significantly improve healthcare service delivery in Northwest Syria by repairing and refurbishing medical devices, and to establish a sustainable model for e-waste management that minimizes environmental degradation and promotes public health. These goals align closely with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
Impact Goals and Measurement Indicators:
Enhanced Access to Quality Healthcare Services
- Goal: To repair and refurbish over 200 critical medical devices within the first year, improving healthcare access for approximately 150,000 people.
- Indicators:
- Number of medical devices repaired and refurbished.
- Number of healthcare facilities served.
- Estimated number of patients benefiting from repaired devices.
- These indicators help quantify the direct impact on healthcare service availability and quality. Patient satisfaction surveys and healthcare facility reports provide qualitative data supporting these metrics.
Strengthened Local Capacity for Medical Device Maintenance
- Goal: To train at least 50 local technicians and healthcare workers in medical device repair and e-waste management practices by the end of the first year.
- Indicators:
- Number of technicians trained.
- Post-training employment rates or service provision activities.
- Pre- and post-training knowledge and skills assessments.
- Progress towards this goal is measured through training attendance records, certification exams, and follow-up surveys on employment and application of skills.
Reduced Environmental Impact from E-Waste
- Goal: To establish a fully operational e-waste management program that safely processes or recycles 75% of collected e-waste by the end of the first year.
- Indicators:
- Amount of e-waste collected, processed, and safely disposed of or recycled.
- Reduction in harmful environmental practices (e.g., open burning or landfill disposal).
- Community awareness and participation in e-waste management programs.
- Data collection methods include waste processing logs, environmental impact assessments, and community surveys.
Scalability and Replicability of the Model
- Goal: To develop a scalable and replicable model for other conflict-affected regions within two years.
- Indicators:
- Number of inquiries or partnerships established for replicating the model in other regions.
- Development and distribution of a model replication guide.
- Case studies or reports on pilot replication projects.
- Monitoring involves tracking engagement with potential partners and documenting the adaptation and outcomes of pilot replication efforts.
To effectively measure our progress towards these impact goals, we employ a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, including device repair logs, training and employment records, waste management documentation, and surveys of healthcare providers, technicians, and community members. We also plan to conduct periodic evaluations to assess the overall health and environmental impacts of our work, using both internal data and external research to inform our strategies and adjustments. This comprehensive approach ensures that our solution not only achieves its immediate objectives but also contributes to the long-term well-being and sustainability of the communities we serve.
Our solution leverages a unique combination of modern and traditional technologies to address critical healthcare and environmental challenges in Northwest Syria. This integration of advanced digital fabrication, diagnostic software, e-waste management tools, alongside traditional repair techniques, forms the core technological foundation of our project.
Advanced Digital Fabrication Technologies:
- 3D Printing: A cornerstone of our repair operations, enabling the creation of custom parts for medical devices quickly and cost-effectively. This technology is vital for producing components that are either no longer available due to supply chain disruptions or would be too expensive to import.
- CNC Machining: Complements our 3D printing capabilities by allowing the production of parts that require materials or precision beyond the scope of 3D printing. Its versatility is essential for the comprehensive repair of a broad spectrum of medical equipment.
Diagnostic and Repair Software:
- Specialized software plays a critical role in diagnosing device malfunctions and guiding repairs, ensuring that medical equipment is restored to its optimal functioning state. This includes software for imaging devices, electronic diagnostics tools, and circuit analysis software, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of our repair processes.
E-Waste Management Technologies:
- Our approach to sustainable e-waste management utilizes software for tracking, categorizing, and processing e-waste, ensuring materials are either recycled or disposed of safely. This system is fundamental in minimizing the environmental impact of e-waste, promoting a healthier ecosystem.
Traditional Knowledge and Techniques:
- We also value and incorporate traditional repair and craftsmanship skills. This not only enriches our technological approach but ensures the sustainability of our solutions, fostering community engagement and respect for local knowledge systems.
Training and Capacity Building Platforms:
- A mix of e-learning platforms, apps, and SMS technology supports our training programs for local technicians and healthcare workers. These tools provide accessible and ongoing education, critical for building local capacity and ensuring the sustainability of healthcare services.
The synergy between these modern and traditional technologies enables our solution to effectively respond to the immediate healthcare needs and establish a sustainable model for environmental management in a conflict-affected region. Our approach is distinguished by its adaptability, scalability, and focus on empowering local communities through technology.
By employing this comprehensive technological strategy, we aim to achieve significant improvements in healthcare delivery through the repair and refurbishment of medical devices, while also establishing a pioneering e-waste management program that reduces environmental degradation. The progress towards these objectives is monitored through a series of indicators, including the number of devices repaired, the amount of e-waste safely processed, and the level of local engagement and capacity building.
Our solution not only addresses the pressing needs of the present but also looks to the future, laying the groundwork for a sustainable, resilient healthcare system in Northwest Syria and beyond. Through the innovative use of technology, we are committed to transforming the landscape of healthcare and environmental sustainability in regions facing similar challenges.
- A new business model or process that relies on technology to be successful
- Ancestral Technology & Practices
- Imaging and Sensor Technology
- Manufacturing Technology
- Materials Science
- Software and Mobile Applications
- Syrian Arab Republic
- Turkiye
5 full time staff
5 part time staff
4 years
Field Ready Türkiye is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level of our organization. We understand that a diverse team enriched with a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and skills leads to more innovative solutions and a stronger impact in the communities we serve. Our approach to DEI encompasses strategic actions, continuous reflection, and the pursuit of concrete goals to ensure that our team not only represents the diversity of the communities we work with but also embodies an environment of equity and inclusion.
Our leadership team and staff are a reflection of the diverse communities we serve in Northwest Syria and Türkiye. We strive for gender balance, and representation from different socio-economic backgrounds. Recognizing the importance of lived experience, we actively recruit individuals who have directly experienced the challenges we aim to address, ensuring their perspectives guide our solution development and implementation.
Minimizing Barriers to Opportunity: Field Ready Türkiye actively seeks to minimize barriers to opportunity through:
- Flexible work policies that accommodate different life circumstances, enabling team members to balance professional and personal commitments.
- Professional development opportunities tailored to the individual's career goals, especially aimed at empowering team members from marginalized groups.
- Transparent recruitment and advancement criteria, ensuring that promotions and hiring are based on merit and potential, promoting fairness and equality.
We Create an environment where every team member feels valued and respected is paramount. We:
- Conduct regular DEI training to enhance understanding and foster an inclusive culture.
- Implement an anonymous feedback system, encouraging open dialogue about our DEI practices and areas for improvement.
- Celebrate the cultural diversity of our team through events and activities, enriching our organizational culture.
Our goals for enhancing DEI include:
- Achieving greater diversity in leadership roles, particularly increasing representation of women and ethnic minorities.
- Broadening recruitment strategies to attract a diverse array of candidates, focusing on talent and potential beyond conventional qualifications.
- Strengthening partnerships with organizations dedicated to DEI, integrating their insights and best practices into our work.
To realize these goals, we have:
- Revised our recruitment policies to prioritize skills and potential, reducing biases that might favor certain groups over others.
- Launched mentorship programs targeting the professional development of team members from underrepresented communities, aiming to build their capacities and leadership skills.
Field Ready Türkiye's commitment to DEI is integral to our identity and mission. By actively pursuing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, enhance our organizational strength and creativity we also ensure our solutions are more effectively aligned with the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve. Through deliberate actions and an ongoing commitment to our DEI goals, we continue to build an organization where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to our collective mission.
Field Ready Türkiye employs a collaborative business model that emphasizes partnerships, collaboration, and direct beneficiary engagement. This model is centered on delivering essential services—repairing and refurbishing medical devices and establishing sustainable e-waste management practices in Northwest Syria. By focusing on these areas, we address critical healthcare infrastructure needs and environmental sustainability, thereby providing significant social impact.
Value Proposition: Our primary offerings are:
- Medical Device Repair and Refurbishment: Enhancing healthcare service delivery by restoring damaged or malfunctioning medical devices, enabling healthcare facilities to continue providing vital services.
- Sustainable E-Waste Management: Implementing responsible practices for the disposal or recycling of medical e-waste, reducing environmental and health risks.
Partners, Collaborators, and Beneficiaries:
- Healthcare Facilities (Partners): We collaborate with hospitals and clinics, offering them medical device repair and refurbishment services. This partnership ensures that healthcare providers can maintain high service levels.
- Environmental Agencies (Collaborators): Working together with local and international environmental organizations to align our e-waste management strategies with broader sustainability goals.
- Local Technicians and Healthcare Workers (Beneficiaries): They benefit from employment and training opportunities, improving their skills and livelihoods.
Service Delivery:
- Collaborative Engagement: Our approach involves working directly with partners and collaborators to assess their needs, delivering services either on-site or through our local maker-space/innovation lab, and providing training to empower local capacity building.
- Partnership Development: We focus on building strong relationships with NGOs, government agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure our services align with and support broader health and environmental objectives.
Sustainability and Impact:
- Grants and Philanthropic Support: Our operations are primarily funded through grants, donations, and philanthropic contributions, which allow us to offer our services at minimal or no cost to our partners.
- Capacity Building Programs: We generate additional impact (and potential revenue) through comprehensive training programs for local technicians and healthcare workers, fostering self-reliance and sustainability.
Need for Our Services:
- Healthcare Facilities: The need for medical device repair services is critical in regions where access to new equipment is limited by economic constraints and logistical challenges. Our services ensure that existing equipment remains functional, directly impacting healthcare delivery quality.
- Environmental Sustainability: As medical e-waste becomes an increasing concern, our sustainable management practices address a crucial need for both our collaborators and the broader community, mitigating the risks associated with improper e-waste disposal.
Our collaborative business model is designed to maximize social impact, emphasizing sustainability, local capacity building, and environmental stewardship. Through strategic partnerships and direct beneficiary engagement, we not only address immediate healthcare and environmental challenges but also contribute to building a more resilient and sustainable future for the communities we serve.
- Organizations (B2B)
As an NGO Field Ready Türkiye's financial sustainability plan is built on a diversified funding strategy that includes grants and philanthropic support, service fees, and strategic partnerships. This multifaceted approach ensures resilience and adaptability, allowing us to continue delivering essential services to communities in Northwest Syria while also planning for long-term sustainability.
Grants and Philanthropic Support: Our initial and ongoing operations have been substantially supported by grants from international donors, philanthropic organizations, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. This funding has enabled us to set up our maker-space/innovation lab, initiate our medical device repair programs, and start our sustainable e-waste management project. For instance, we have received grants from entities such as the Grants Challenge Canada and the Humanitarian to Humanitarian Network, which have been instrumental in piloting our solution and demonstrating its viability and impact.
Service Fees: While our primary aim is not profit generation, we do charge nominal service fees for the repair and refurbishment of medical devices to healthcare facilities that can afford it. These fees are structured to cover at least the operational costs of the repairs, ensuring that our services remain accessible to all our partners while contributing to our financial sustainability. The feedback and repeat service requests from healthcare facilities serve as evidence of the value and success of this model.
Training Programs: We have developed training programs for local technicians and healthcare workers, enhancing their skills in medical device repair and e-waste management. These programs are offered at a fee, generating revenue that supports our broader mission while also contributing to local capacity building. The high demand for these training sessions and the positive outcomes for participants underscore the effectiveness and sustainability of this revenue stream.
Strategic Partnerships: Our partnerships with local and international NGOs, government bodies, and private sector entities are central to our sustainability strategy. These partnerships not only provide direct funding and in-kind support but also open opportunities for service contracts, particularly with government health agencies looking to improve healthcare infrastructure sustainably. Our ongoing discussions and agreements with several partners are promising for future revenue generation through service contracts.
Future Plans: Looking ahead, we aim to explore additional revenue streams, such as:
- Expanding our service offerings to include preventive maintenance contracts for medical devices.
- Developing and selling educational materials and toolkits based on our successful training programs.
- Exploring investment opportunities for scaling our e-waste management solution.
Evidence of Success: The successful acquisition of grants from recognized institutions, consistent service fee revenues from healthcare facilities, and the growing demand for our training programs all serve as tangible proof of our financial sustainability plan's effectiveness. These achievements not only validate our model but also demonstrate our ability to manage and grow our funding streams successfully.